Two employees of the University of Baguio (UB) have been named this year’s outstanding members of the Private Education Retirement Annuity Association (PERAA) during the organization’s 41st Administrators’ Conference and Annual Meeting at the Marriott Hotel in Cebu on Oct. 18.

Dr. Marilou Saong, head of the Chemistry Department of the UB School of Natural Sciences (SNS), ranked second in the teaching (Level A) category.

Meanwhile, Jacqueline Hernandez, laboratory custodian of UB-SNS, settled at the third place under the administrative level, category B.

From over a hundred nominations, the top five were chosen based on their involvement in research and outreach activities and academic achievements, among others. The nominations were from PERAA’s member schools in all parts of the country.

Currently, PERAA has over 200 member institutions.

The top three were then selected, to which Saong and Hernandez qualified.

In her profile, Saong – who holds a PhD in chemistry education – emphasized that “scholars of the government should be sharing their special trainings with the Filipinos. However, they opt to work abroad because of better compensation.” Still, she isn’t losing hope, intending to stay in the country “to be able to contribute to the society.”

Hernandez, on the other hand, is a graduate of medical technology and is active in environmental-preservation activities.

Saong and Hernandez mark UB’s 19th win in the search since it started joining more than two decades ago.

Froilan Aspa, University registrar, also qualified as a finalist in the administrative level category, category A.

The UB finalists were pre-selected by the UB screening committee before being subject to an extensive panel interview by PERAA. Educators from government institutions such as the Commission on Higher Education and the Department of Education comprised the panel. It also included members of civic organizations, businessmen, and administrators.

Dr. Dahlia Soriano of the UB School of Teacher Education placed third in last year’s search under the teaching (Level B) category.

Aimed at encouraging professional environment for continuous growth and trust-building, PERAA annually honors employees of its member institutions who mirror exemplary service in their respective institutions.